Abdominal pain after eating

Stomach pain after eating is not normal and can be caused by a very large list of possible conditions. To better understand your pain and get a proper diagnosis, you should see a gastroenterologist. They will ask you a series of specific questions aimed at determining the nature of the pain. Some common causes of stomach pain after eating include peptic ulcer disease, gallstones, and mesenteric ischemia.

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The main causes of abdominal pain after eating

Ulcer disease

Ulcers develop and worsen when the protective lining of your stomach fails to protect it from the acid your stomach uses to digest food. Ulcers are usually recognized by pain in the left upper quadrant of your abdomen, or the upper center of your stomach. This pain begins within about two hours of eating. It is described as a sharp or nagging pain, sometimes radiating to your back. Ulcer pain can be quite painful, especially if it deepens enough to perforate through the lining of your stomach.

Gallstones

Gallstones can be recognized by cramping pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, usually for several hours after eating. Fatty foods make abdominal pain worse after eating. It is worth knowing that obese people and overweight women are more likely to have gallstones. Gallstone pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and can radiate to the area around the right side of the body and to the back. It is important to note that some types of abdominal pain may become weaker after changing position and physical activity, but gallstone pain still bothers a person regardless of how much physical activity you have.

Mesenteric (intestinal) ischemia

Intestinal ischemia occurs when cholesterol plaques build up in the arteries, blocking blood flow to the intestines. More blood flow to the intestines is needed after eating. If your arteries are clogged, eating can speed up and intensify the pain, especially if the blood supply to the intestines is insufficient. The pain of mesenteric ischemia is usually diffuse, and is usually accompanied by a fear of eating. Patients are afraid to eat and lose weight.

Other Causes of Abdominal Pain After Eating

There are many causes of severe abdominal pain after eating. Some of them include celiac disease, which can be recognized by bloating and discomfort after eating foods containing gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Lactose intolerance also affects abdominal pain after eating. It can be recognized by discomfort and diarrhea after eating foods containing lactose, and bacterial food poisoning. These are characterized by cramping abdominal pain a few hours after eating, especially if the food contains mayonnaise.

Quadrant method for diagnosing abdominal pain after eating

To more accurately determine the disease that causes abdominal pain after eating, it is very useful to use horizontal and vertical lines to divide the abdomen into four parts: the right hypochondrium, the left upper quadrant, the right lower quadrant, and the left lower quadrant. You can use the table to determine the symptoms and diseases for each quadrant.

Upper right quadrant of the abdomen

Symptoms	The pain is felt mainly in the upper right part of the abdomen. It can also spread to other places: you may experience pain in the right shoulder, right upper back or chest, you may have nausea, vomiting or gas.
Reasons	Gallbladder
Recommendation	Consult a doctor if this is not the first time you have had pain. Call a doctor immediately for emergency care if this is the first time you have had these symptoms. Do not eat anything to prevent the pain from getting worse if it is caused by gallstones.

Symptoms	You may have chronic abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. You may feel extremely tired and suffer from fever and a sore throat.
Reasons	A viral infection, most likely mononucleosis.
Recommendation	See your doctor immediately if you experience pain in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen. In addition to medication, you should get plenty of rest.

Pain in the upper abdomen

Symptoms	Acute pain begins gradually or suddenly in the upper abdomen, sometimes radiating to the side or lower back. The pain may be moderate or worsening, and abdominal pain occurs after eating, especially after a large meal or a few hours after drinking alcohol. The pain may be severe and sharp and may become constant, lasting for several days. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, fever, and rapid pulse.
Reasons	Pancreatitis
Recommendation	You need immediate medical attention. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Any form of pain is very serious and can lead to complications. In severe cases, bleeding and infections can develop.

Symptoms	You may feel pressure in the upper abdomen, especially when the upper quadrant of the abdomen hurts, the pain is most often associated with heartburn, belching, chest pain and nausea.
Reasons	Hiatal hernia
Recommendation	Be sure to see a doctor. If you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and are experiencing the typical symptoms, see your general practitioner. They will refer you to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive diseases. You can also try changing your diet: eat small, frequent meals. Raise the back of your bed by 15 cm and do not lie down for three hours after eating - the stomach pain will subside.

Symptoms	Frequent burning and pain in the upper abdomen or chest pain, sometimes extending to the throat, accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth. Other symptoms may also be present. For example, a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and a dry cough.
Reasons	Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Recommendation	To prevent future attacks of pain, you can suck on tablets containing antacids - you should do this immediately at the first sign of pain. This can help control heartburn. See a doctor if the treatment does not help within a few days. See a doctor right away if you have trouble swallowing, especially if solid food gets stuck in your throat.

Pain in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen

Symptoms	You have pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, and the pain comes on suddenly, sharply, with fever. You may also have nausea, vomiting, chills, and extreme tenderness of the skin in your abdomen. You may also suffer from diarrhea or constipation.
Reasons	Diverticulitis
Recommendation	You need to make an appointment with your doctor immediately. If you have sharp pain in your left abdomen along with fever, chills, swelling, or nausea and vomiting, seek emergency medical care right away. You may be at risk of peritonitis due to an infection in your abdominal organs.

Pain in the lower abdomen

Symptoms	A pregnant woman may have severe pain that suddenly appears in the lower right abdomen or lower left abdomen, but there is no vomiting or fever.
Reasons	Ectopic pregnancy
Recommendation	You need to call a doctor immediately for surgical treatment. If the abdominal pain is very intense, you need to call an ambulance.

Symptoms	Pain in the lower abdomen. You may also have blood in your stool, fever, unexplained weight loss, skin rash, fatigue, or joint pain.
Reasons	Diseases (pain in the right side of the abdomen) or non-specific ulcerative colitis Crohn's (with pain in the left side of the abdomen). Dysentery may be a secondary symptom.
Recommendation	See a doctor immediately. Be sure to tell him that you have dysentery or bloody diarrhea. These symptoms are often caused by exposure to water contaminated with bacteria or viruses. If you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, you should eat nutritious food, get plenty of rest, and reduce stress. Do regular relaxation and breathing exercises. Avoid alcohol and aspirin.

Lower right quadrant of the abdomen

Symptoms	Severe pain in the lower right abdomen. You may first experience pain in the lower right abdomen or around the navel, and after 6-8 hours it becomes more intense and radiates to the lower right abdomen. With active movement, the pain worsens even more. When pressing on the lower right abdomen, the pain remains, and you may feel muscle tension. You may also lose your appetite, sometimes nausea, vomiting, or low-grade fever.
Reasons	Appendicitis
Recommendation	Seek medical attention immediately.

Stomach pain after eating is a symptom that should not be ignored. With our recommendations, it will be easier to determine the causes of these pains.

What to do if you have stomach pain after eating?

If you consistently experience severe abdominal pain after eating, it is best to discuss these symptoms with your doctor. The doctor may prescribe medications, perform tests, or recommend dietary changes.